Coming out of the blackhole called work...retirement

Welcome to retirement! 

If you’ve been out of the loop for awhile, you may consider taking your time and wading in slowly.

Technology has changed somewhat, for instance: streaming music, powered home speakers, room correction technology, etc. I’m amazed at the sound quality from relatively compact setups. Of course if you like the idea of traditional components, there are plenty. My point is there are likely options you may not be familiar with. 

I would guess most all are represented here to some extent with valuable expertise to boot-

Hope you enjoy retirement!

Regards,
gary

Congrats, you're gonna love it as long as you have a hobby. Audio is a great one. Been retired since 1/1/2010 and been offered jobs left and right. Turned them all down. Nobody wants to agree on my terms. I'm still in process of getting to nirvana in the audio world. I'm close but............. they keep extending the rabbit hole. Welcome to the hole.

Great for you!!  Enjoy the roller coaster ride now.  The 70's was very good and I am close behind you.  I am in New Jersey and a buddy of mine is on the hunt for better sound.  He has been on craigslist and a few other places and has found so many older but very nice speakers for sale locally.  He has been dragging me out and around to go hear them in the $2K price range.  I have not ventured out like this is a very long time but the journey he has taken me on has been really fun and we have met a lot of very nice people we did not know before.  We recently heard Von Schweirket VR5 SHEs?s, Alon Circe, Vandersteen 3A sigs, Quattros, Audio Physic Armanti, ProAc 3.8s, 70's TDL transmission lines, B&W 801 S3s, and a bunch of other speakers that were once considered very good in their day versus the current model of speakers that cost so much more today.  What a blast.  So like someone else mentioned already, take your time, go meet some nice people in your area, and enjoy the ride!

Happy Listening.

Congrats 
been retired a wee bit over a year now, Nirvana
sleep deprivation takes time to burn off
you need more than one expensive hobby, the AMG may suffice !
get out and listen to live music
no benchmarks will have you chasing your tail
plus live music is in itself a hobby
find a dealer you can trust
who understands synergy
finally fix the square room
there is a lot of good info on web on designing a great sounding room
enjoy !!!!!!!

Welcome AMG.

Life begins at retirement - at least, it did for me. I could not afford the system I wanted - so I began to build my own equipment. Consider DIY - it's far more rewarding than just buying stuff.

Now after 15 years of DIY, I have an ESL system with DIY electronics and DIY air bearing turntable and DIY cabling. Could not touch it for $100,000 new retail.

Several posters have suggested visiting audio shows. Good idea. I also suggest that you consider buying direct from the manufacturer, where feasible. With your budget, you can afford to travel a bit for auditions, and take in a concert as a bonus. Cases in point: Trans-Fi for turntable and tonearm, Soundsmith for cartridges and preamp, K&K Audio for kits and advice. I use the TF tonearm - I have two of them, and don't think they can be touched for less than 5x the price, and maybe not at all.

Why manufacturers? Price, obviously. But also, VERY few people will bother to set up an analogue system to anything near its potential. The manufacturer is your best bet for determining that potential.

Be sure to audition exotic speakers like ESL's or big Magnepans before you buy anything.

And, I suggest, spend a maximum of $500 on cables until you have your system at a good place. Then try out new cables using your current sound as a reference. I use microphone cable for interconnect at $1 / foot. Exotics work no better. In my system. In my opinion.

If you live near Seattle, why not stop in for a listen?